High voltage connector



April 1.959, I R. M. NORDBY 2,882,430

HIGH VOLTAGE CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 18, 1958 9 J7 J5 21 J \Qly 2g 2- 1. I Ei mfll \\\\\\I 25/ 5 y In Z1871 0?" J6 Roger 772. floz'dby By i r22 ey United States Patent HIGH VOLTAGE CONNECTOR Roger M. Nordby, Wilmette, 111., assignor to Zenith Radio Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application February 18, 1958, Serial No. 715,943 2 Claims. (Cl. 313-64) The present invention relates to connectors for electron discharge devices; and more particularly to a corona suppressing connector for the anode of a cathoderay tube.

With the introduction of large viewing screens in cathode-ray tubes it has been found that potentials of the order of eighteen to twenty thousand volts are desirable for best picture production. Such potentials create conditions conducive to corona adjacent the anode connector of the cathode-ray tube, and this is especially true where the anode connection is made by a high-voltage lead mechanically connected to a high-voltage button, as it is called in the art, sealed into the tube envelope and in electrical connection with the anode inside the envelope. Corona is further increased by accumulation of dust and moisture adjacent the connector button. Such corona is annoying because of the attendant crackling noise.

Prior connectors devised to suppress corona have failed to provide sufiicient detenting force when connected with the anode button and have occasionally snapped out of engagement when the conductor leading thereto was brushed against. This creates a dangerous shock hazard. To overcome this failing, high voltage connections have been provided with terminal clips to hold them securely in place. Such prior structures are both complicated and costly, constituting in effect two separate clips requiring attention when connecting and disconnecting the anode contact.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved corona suppressing connector for an electron discharge device.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an anode connector for a cathode-ray tube with electrical and sound insulating provisions, for suppressing corona and noise caused thereby.

A connector constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to engage any of several known contacts sealed within an envelope of an electron discharge device. It comprises an insulated conductor mechanically and electrically connected to a generally U-shaped terminal clip. This clip is made of resilient material, and terminal portions of the clip are shaped to engage the contact in the envelope. There is an ofiset portion in each leg of the clip defining, in conjunction with the terminal portions, a clamp section. A soft, compressible, resilient member of insulating material has a central aperture through which this clamp section projects. A stifi member of insulating material also has a central aperture through which the clamp section projects. The stiff member is positioned between the soft member and the offset portions. The length of the clamp section is so proportioned in relation to the compressed thickness of these members that the engagement of the connector with the contact firmly compresses the members within the clamp section. The resilient member is thereby pressed into firm contact with the envelope to suppress corona.

The features of the present invention which are be- 2,882,430 Patented Apr. 14, 19 59 ice.

Figure l is an elevational sectional view of a high-.

voltage contact constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly in section, of the contact of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, there is represented a section 10 of the envelope of an electron discharge tube, such as a cathode-ray tube of the type used in television sets. A metal contact 11, the so called anode button, is sealed into the envelope during manufacture. The interior wall of the tube envelope is coated with a suitable conductive material 12, such as aquadag, in circuit with contact 11. The contact 11 may be of any suitable shape but, in general, it includes a portion designed to facilitate attaching a high-voltage lead thereto in such manner as to assure sound mechanical and electrical connections. In the construction illustrated there is a portion 13 in the form of an inturned flange to which the connection is made. This flange is substantially contiguous with the outer surface 14 of envelope 10.

The high-voltage connector for establishing a sound mechanical and electrical connection with contact 11 comprises a U-shaped connector or clip indicated generally by reference character 15. It is composed of a pair of legs 16 made of electrically conductive spring wire bent about a mid-point 17 to form a bight frictionally engaging an insulating coating 18 of a high-voltage conductor 19 connected to one of legs 16 as by solder 20. The legs 16 have oflset portions 21 which define shoulders 22 for providing part of a clamp section 23. Terminal portions 24 of legs 16 are disposed away from each other in a manner to engage the under surface of flange 13 of contact 11 at substantially diametrically opposite points. End portions 24 are spaced with respect to shoulders 22 to complete therewith the clamp section 23 for a purpose more fully set forth below. With the parts in the position of use shown in Figure 1, an electrical circuit is completed from conductor 19 through legs 16, terminal portions 24 and contact 11 to the conductive coating 12 on the inside periphery of envelope 10.

The potential applied in the above described connection to the tube anode is, in the present day tubes, in the order of eighteen to twenty thousand volts. It is contemplated that with larger cathode-ray tubes or color tubes even higher voltages may be utilized. Such voltages tend to create corona. The present invention provides a device for suppressing corona that may otherwise be experienced at the high voltage connection. For this purpose the high-voltage contactor further comprises a soft, compressible, resilient member 25 made of sponge rubber or suitable synthetic that can be pressed into engagement with envelope surface 14 regardless of normal surface irregularities. A stiff member 26 is disposed above member 25 and is engaged by the clamp shoulders 22. The members 25 and 26 have elongated apertures EQZtLtiPiFi fIb-sfi 'ml i r 2 i firmly praised; against the outer surface 14 ofthe' nib'e'envelopef A flexible insulating tube 30 encloses legs 16 and provides a 'fin ger grip used when-fiexing=the legs 16.

span becoms less than the U T h clip is then inserted 4 a and its tern'nnal perha s enter; beneath i131 In"order to:acc5inplishthis insertion of the clip: it 'is necessary to compress 4 land w h e1'1" legs 16 are released-to engage the under surface of flange we e? a 1 e i l e and mechanical connectioifhas now ben'madebetvveen the high-voltage connector and the anode button 11 and against the tube envelope to suppress -corbna and an mtsesrmrasnmg incident whereas. 5 g

The resiliency of member -is such fthat' tli reaction ressure 'thei-feof acting against aarinen "22' canes the longitudinal 'of the 1S aiid simplifies servic ng; Thel'lrela't ively soft "member 25 engagement with the surface 14fofi'er's' 'a resistive nss 'of the "member 25; noise attendantfsuch coronaas maystill exist is damped and crackling? is inhibited." In addition the area 14 is sealed against deposits of dust and moisture. Accordingly,- -it is seen that a terminalconnector is provided'thatis readily'connected or discon:

tofcoven'all such changesand inodifica'tions 'as fall within" thtrilespir'it and scope *ofth invention? ntfac't 11, its legs 16 are 5 te ifriiinal'clip 15 to standafsub 20 1. Acoifiricthf"T61iiiiiiilitifiEhiielefiiba'l'ccihiiiictiiiii to a contact sealed within anenvelope of an electrondischarge device comprising: an insulated conductor; a generally U-shaped terminal clip of conductive and resilient material mechanically and conductively connected to one end of said conductor; the terminal portions of said clip being shaped oen'gage "said contact; an ofiset portion in each leg of said clip defihih'gf' in -conjunction with said terminal portions, a-clamp;section; a-s0ft-, com-- pressible, resilient rrieriilirfofinsdlatinggniaferialhaviilg a central aperture through which said clamp section projects; and 'a "stifhmtiib er of' insulating niatfiahalso haw ing a central aperture through which said clamp section projects and positioned"betii eemsaidkoft member and said ofiset portions, the length of said clamp section being so proportioned in relation to the compressed thickness-of said members that the engagement of the connectoi W'ith 'sa'idcast-(firmly compresses saidniembrs withirisaidblanipsection? I 2. A cofo'r'i'a suppressing hrg'hwsnhgecsanecmr for completing an electrical connection to a high vouageeoa tact "sealed 'within 'an' ea erspe "of an el'etr'on dischaige device coin'prrsing'z an" inslilatedkonductot; a generally" U shapedf terminal 'clip of conductive and -rz'aili'e'nt mate; rial 'm chanicallyandconductively' connected tonne end of 'said'condiictor', the terminal portionsof 'sa'idclip being shaped to engagesaidcont act and complete 'a circuit 'con nection' thereto froin's "d conductor; an oifset portion in" each'leg of 'said clip defining, 'in conjunctionwithsaidtf minal' portionsa clanipTsection; a'fs'o'ft', coiiipress'ibl'e,"resillent membeaar insulating rnz'ite'ri'al having 'a central ap'e'i'f-" turethrofigh which "saidclanip sectibn'proiects'g andast'ifi member of -insdl atingfiiiajte'r'ial' alsdhaving a central aper ture through when saidkfiifiip'sectionprojects and an: tioned bet'weea said soft mem eF'aaasaid-onset portions, the length ofsaid clamp sectieabeingss"proportioned in relation 'tdthecoinpr'essed thickness of said menibe'rs'tliat'" the engagement oftheiohn'ectorfwith said contactj'firnily 

